This article explores the top 10 ecommerce software options, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. You'll also learn the real cost of using an ecommerce platform, which can range from free plans to hundreds of dollars per year. Now let‘s find your business’s best ecommerce software solution.
Table of Contents
- Top Ecommerce Platforms (At-a-Glance)
- Top Ecommerce Platforms for Small Businesses
- Top Ecommerce Platforms for Growing Businesses
- Top Ecommerce Platforms for Enterprise Businesses
- Ecommerce Platforms FAQ
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Top Ecommerce Platforms (At-a-Glance)
As you can see, the real cost of using an ecommerce platform can range from free plans to hundreds of dollars per year. As you explore your options, you'll see that most ecommerce platforms require little to no technical skills to set up and manage.
| Platform | Pricing | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volusion |
$35/month (personal) $79/Month (Professional) $299/month (Business Plan) |
Small businesses seeking affordability |
Customizable templates Multi-channel selling Various integrations |
| Square Online |
Free plan $49/month (Plus) $149/month (Premium) |
Small businesses needing a simple solution |
Customizable templates Inventory management Social and mobile ordering Easy to use |
| Ecwid |
$5/month (Starter) $25/month (Venture) $45/month (Business) $105/month (Unlimited) |
Small businesses wanting an easy-to-use platform |
Customizable templates Multi-channel selling Lightweight platform Highly customizable |
| Wix |
$17/month (Light) $29/month (Core) $39/month (Business) $159/month (Elite) |
Small businesses seeking an all-in-one solution |
Website builder + ecommerce Customizable templates Multi-channel selling No technical skills required |
| Squarespace |
$16/month (Personal) $23/month (Core) $39/month (Plus) $99/month (Advanced) |
Small businesses prioritizing design | • Beautiful, customizable templates<br>• Design-focused tools<br>• Website builder + ecommerce<br>• Less feature-rich than competitors |
| Adobe for Business | Custom quote required | Mid to large-sized businesses |
Powerful ecommerce features Customizable templates Multi-store support Advanced SEO tools |
| osCommerce | Free (costs for additional services) | Growing businesses wanting open-source |
Free, open-source platform Customizable templates Multilingual support |
| Shopify |
$29/month (Basic) $79/month (Grow) $299/month (Advanced) |
Growing businesses with large inventories |
Multi-channel selling Abandoned cart recovery Gift cards & product reviews Intuitive interface |
| OpenCart | Free (hosting & add-ons cost extra) | Growing businesses on a budget |
User-friendly setup Multi-currency support SEO optimization Order management |
| Salesforce Commerce Cloud | Custom quote required | Large enterprises |
AI-powered platform Omnichannel capabilities Predictive analytics Advanced customization |
| WooCommerce | Free (extensions $0-$300+) | Enterprise businesses using WordPress |
WordPress plugin Open-source with an active community Advanced customization Marketing integrations (HubSpot, etc.) |
| BigCommerce | Custom quote required | Enterprise businesses needing scalability |
Scalable for any business size Customizable templates Powerful integrations Industry-agnostic |
| SureCart |
Free plan available $179/year (Pro Yearly) $599 (Pro, Pay Once) |
Enterprise businesses maximizing performance |
Headless eCommerce platform Payment gateway integration Custom brand design |
Top Ecommerce Platforms for Small Businesses
The ecommerce platforms below are among the best in the market for small business owners, but to choose the right ecommerce platform for your business, you must:
- Assess the unique needs of your business
- Know your budget
- Have clear growth plans and goals for your businesses
- Identify essential features you'll need to reach your ecommerce goals
Once you know your business's needs, budget, goals, and needed features, you'll be able to select the right platform from the list below.
1. Wix
Wix is the best ecommerce platform for small businesses because it's an all-in-one website and ecommerce platform. It has customizable templates, multi-channel selling, and a variety of integrations. You don't need technical skills to use it, either. Even better, Wix can grow with your business as you scale.
Best for: Businesses that need an all-in-one website and ecommerce platform.
Pricing: $17/month for Light, $29 for Core, $39 for Business, or $159 for Business Elite.
2. Volusion
Volusion is a great platform for small businesses because it offers features such as customizable templates, multi-channel selling, and a variety of integrations. However, Volusion doesn’t have as many features as other platforms on this list.
Best for: Businesses looking for an affordable ecommerce platform.
Pricing: Plans begin at $35/month for the Personal plan, $79 for the Professional plan, and $299 for the Business plan. More discounts can be found in their pricing guide.
3. Square Online
Square Online is an affordable ecommerce platform. You can customize templates, order online, manage inventory, and use it easily. You can accept orders from social and mobile in addition to your website, providing a seamless online shopping experience for your customers.
Best for: Small businesses that need a simple solution.
Pricing: The Plus plan is available for $49/month, Premium is $149/month. They also have a free plan with basic features.
4. Ecwid
Another lightweight ecommerce platform that‘s ideal for small businesses is Ecwid. Affordable and easy to use, it includes features such as customizable templates, multi-channel selling, and integrations. It’s also customizable, so you can tailor it to your preferences.
Best for: Businesses that need an easy-to-use ecommerce platform.
Pricing: Its Venture plan is $25/month, Business is $45/month, and Unlimited is $105/month. They also have a Starter plan with basic features available for $5.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is another website builder that includes ecommerce functionality, making it an excellent option for small businesses that want a beautiful and customizable online store. Although it may not be as feature-rich as other platforms on this list, it offers customizable templates and design tools.
Best for: Small businesses that want a beautiful, customizable ecommerce platform.
Pricing: $16/month for personal use, $23/month for Core, $39/month for Plus, and $99/month for Advanced.
Free Ecommerce Business Kit
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- Abandoned cart email templates.
- Ecommerce marketing plan template.
- Ecommerce sales tracker.
- And more!
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Top Ecommerce Platforms for Growing Businesses
6. Adobe for Business
Adobe for Business is a great choice for growing companies because of its powerful ecommerce features. Despite its complexity, it has many features, including customizable templates, multi-store support, and powerful SEO tools.
Best for: Mid- to large-sized businesses that need a powerful, customizable ecommerce platform.
Pricing: Ask for a quote.
7. osCommerce
osCommerce is one of the oldest ecommerce platforms available, and it remains a popular choice for small to mid-sized businesses that need a free, open-source solution. It offers customizable templates, multilingual support, and numerous integrations.
Plus, it has a large community of developers and users, making it easy to find support and resources.
Best suited for: Growing businesses that require a free, open-source ecommerce platform with a large community.
Pricing: The main software is free, with additional costs for additional services.
8. Shopify
A great ecommerce platform that can handle a large inventory is Shopify. This popular platform offers a range of features, including multi-channel selling and customizable templates.
Creating a professional-looking online store is easy with Shopify's intuitive interface. With features like abandoned cart recovery, gift cards, and product reviews, Shopify can help boost sales and enhance the customer experience.
Best for: Growing businesses, especially those with large inventories.
Pricing: A basic account is $29/month, a Grow account for small teams is $79/month,and an advanced account is $299/month.
9. OpenCart
OpenCart is a user-friendly ecommerce platform ideal for growing companies. Among its features are customizable templates, multi-currency support, and a simple setup process. OpenCart's low cost makes it a great choice for businesses on a budget.
Business owners can establish a robust online presence with OpenCart's SEO optimization, order management, and product review capabilities.
Best for: Businesses seeking a low-cost, user-friendly platform that is easy to set up.
Pricing: OpenCart is free to use; however, hosting, add-ons, and customizations may incur additional fees.
Top Ecommerce Platforms for Enterprise Businesses
10. Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a powerful ecommerce platform that uses AI to manage online stores. It offers advanced customization options, and its omnichannel capabilities allow businesses to connect with customers on multiple channels.
Businesses seeking to expand their ecommerce operations can leverage Salesforce Commerce Cloud's predictive analytics, robust inventory management, and customizable checkout features.
Best suited for: Large enterprises seeking an AI-powered, omnichannel platform with advanced customization options.
Pricing: Pick a relevant version, then ask for a quote.
11. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is an open-source platform powered by WordPress. It’s designed to help merchants and developers build long-term successful businesses.
People who want to sell online or build stores for others can use WooCommerce. It has an active community of developers and users who provide support and resources. Besides offering next-level customization, advanced selling features, and dedicated support, WooCommerce also helps established merchants grow.
It also has some interesting integrations. The free HubSpot for WooCommerce integration, for example, adds abandoned cart management, marketing automation, reporting, and other marketing tools not directly built into WooCommerce.
Other integrations include Shipstation, Google Analytics, and Stripe.
Best for: Enterprise Businesses that use WordPress and want a customizable ecommerce plugin.
Pricing: WooCommerce is free to install, but adding extensions to your store may cost money. While many extensions are free, others range up to $300 per installation.
12. BigCommerce
Ecommerce businesses of any size can benefit from BigCommerce. Regardless of your industry or niche, BigCommerce's customizable templates and powerful integrations can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Best for: Enterprise Businesses that want a scalable ecommerce platform.
Pricing: Ask for pricing.
13. SureCart
SureCart is a headless eCommerce platform, where the store is hosted on the website and the processing is handled by SureCart servers. It’s a powerful combination, of all the tools needed to create successful online stores.
It has been designed to be powerful but also easy to use, with the ability to add and remove unlimited products, integrate payment gateways, and design a store to fit any brand.
Best for: Enterprise Businesses looking to maximize website performance.
Pricing: Free plan available with two pro plans: Pro Yearly for $179/year, Pro Pay Once for $599.
Ecommerce Platforms FAQ
What's the best ecommerce platform for beginners?
Wix and Shopify are considered the best ecommerce platforms thanks to their intuitive and user-friendly interface, affordable plans, and all-in-one features.
How do I choose the right ecommerce platform?
To choose the right ecommerce platform for your business, you must:
- Assess the unique needs of your business
- Know your budget
- Have clear growth plans and goals for your businesses
- Identify essential features you'll need to reach your ecommerce goals
Use this knowledge to find an ecommerce platform that accommodates your business' unique needs and goals and provides the essential features you are looking for.
What is the cheapest ecommerce website platform?
The cheapest ecommerce website platforms are Square Online, osCommerce, OpenCart, WooCommerce, and SureCart as they all have free plans or are free with paid features and services.
Do I need technical skills to run an online store?
No, you do not need technical skills to run an online store because many ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Ecwid,and Squarespace come with intuitive interfaces that are intentionally easy to use.How much does it really cost to run an ecommerce site?
The cost of running an ecommerce site varies depending on the platform, plan, and service. In general, expect to spend anywhere between a few hundred dollars per year (for DIY setups) to thousands of dollars per year (for custom-built, high-traffic sites).Can I switch ecommerce platforms later if my business grows?
Yes, you can switch ecommerce platforms as your business grows, but doing so requires careful planning, data migration, and testing to make the process as seamless as possible.What integrations should I look for in an ecommerce platform?
Integrations you should look for in an ecommerce platform are:- Shipping and fulfillment integrations
- Inventory management integrations
- Customer support
- CRM integrations
- Email and SMS marketing integrations
- Payment gateway integrations
Getting Started
The right ecommerce platform is essential for any business looking to sell online. There's always a platform that meets your needs, regardless of your company's size. Your budget, business size, and technical expertise can help you narrow down your options.
A reliable payment processing tool is also essential to ensuring a smooth checkout process, regardless of what ecommerce platform you choose. HubSpot's Payment tool makes it easy to manage your transactions.Get started with HubSpot's ecommerce tools today to take your online store to the next level.
Editor's note: This article was originally published in June 2019 and has since been updated for comprehensiveness.
Free Ecommerce Business Kit
Download this ecommerce kit for free marketing, sales planning, and abandoned cart email templates.
- Abandoned cart email templates.
- Ecommerce marketing plan template.
- Ecommerce sales tracker.
- And more!
Download Free
All fields are required.
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